ILP Clarion House

[Stanley]

Nice to see the ILP looking forward and making plans

[plaques]

A very productive meeting of the ILP Land Society yesterday. We are looking at how we can make Clarion House even more ecologically friendly.

Upgrading is always a difficult problem. The old Clarion hut has so much nostalgia about it that it would be a shame to lose its historical attraction with too much modern technology. Like the bronze age axe original except two new heads and five new handles. Ian I wish you luck with your deliberations I suspect there is no easy answer.

[PanBiker]

That's the problem Ken. We have extended it in keeping with the original. The original builders were never shy of making modifications as they saw fit. The building didn't have a verandah when it was built. That was added in the 20's but it wasn't enclosed, that again was done later. The building originally had a pot bellied stove for heating, the open fire came in the 30's along with the original outside toilet block and digester system that was built by apprentices. They all still function and are used during the week by walkers and cyclists who have the need. There is no gas or mains sewage on Jinny Lane.

A lot of the works had to be done such as the roof replacement, rebuilding of the upper verandah, replacing the asbestos roof and rendered corrugated gables with wood cladding. Inside flush toilet to replace the tippler after the "expert" bloke from the university broke the tippler mechanism!

We did have a full survey done on the wood frame during refurbishment and that is still sound and original from 1912. At the end of the day it is a wood framed timber clad building with single glazed windows. It has intermittent use, (every Sunday and other special days) but that only adds up to about 70 openings a year. That alone creates a lot of the challenges.

Here are a few images from over the years, the first one is from Roger Brown and Stan Ivesons book "A Monument to Movement" which shows it in the early 20's and then 40 years later in the 60's. I can send you a copy of this if you don't have one. We had it reprinted along with the story of how the film "The Last Clarion House" was made.



This is one from 2014, extension, verandah and roof replaced but still with the rendered corrugated gables. The stack on the gable was only secured by a single bolt into the render.!



Here we are as it is now, photo's from 2016 same gable.



Front of building.

[Stanley]

[plaques]

Ian you were kind enough to give my a copy of the booklet some time ago. I keep still dipping into it whenever I come across some ILP info:

One thing that we are going to action is the installation of outside electrical charging point for electric bikes.

I don't think there's a common standard for e-bikes. They seem to vary from 30V to 70V with different charging rates (Ah's) and different connections not to mention the electronic controllers. Its one of those things that seems a good idea but full of pitfalls.

[PanBiker]

Common denominator for all the chargers is that they all plug into a standard mains socket. That is also the cheapest option to provide the service. We have looked into the financial aspects of charging and it varies as you say, depending on the capacity of the battery stacks. We have looked at a range of different electric bike manufacturers and the average charge cost is around 10p. A suitable notice will be adjacent to suggest a voluntary donation. We already have the Clarion House model building that we use for donations at the side of the serving hatch.

We will probably fit 2 - 4 external mains sockets on the gable wall at the kitchen end which is where the consumer unit is. they will be fed via an isolation switch and will be protected by the RCD in the consumer unit. We turn the power off when the house is not occupied.

The external mains supply and water point will come in handy for site maintenance and for the odd time that we have campers on the field. We have the odd overnight campers for folk that come from afar to events like the Big Red Picnic and the Summer Barbecue etc.

[Stanley]

Sounds good....

[PanBiker]

Our visitors are very good a voluntary donations, I am fairly certain we will not run at a loss.

At our ILP Land Society meeting, Ruth who is the secretary of the Friends of Clarion House reported that their spring maintenance schedule includes a repaint of the kitchen and boot room and also another coat of varnish for the kitchen floor which gets a lot of traffic. Outside ground works includes digging out and relining the pond which has been dry for some time. It's about 30 years since we dug it originally. It will be good to get some water life back at the bottom of the field.

[PanBiker]

This was posted on the ILP Land Society Facebook page.

Many, many thanks to Michael Walker, who has found this photo of the Nelson ILP banner, being used in active service.
On the 23 May 1928, J Husband a weaver and representative Of the Weaver’s Association was dismissed for bad work. A seven week strike involving 15 thousand weavers ensued until an agreement was reached. This fantastic image is from the Red Rose Collection.



Smashing image from a time when folk used to actually do something to defend their jobs. The banner is now resident at Clarion House.

[Stanley]

Wonderful Ian! Compare and contrast to honesty and clarity of principle of these people with the scum I have just been attacking in Parliament on another thread. Johnson and his gang would think these workers simple minded and beneath contempt, they simply don't comprehend the deep principles involved.
A beautiful image.....
Why does Paul Robeson singing Joe Hill come into my mind as I look at these women?

[PanBiker]

I will have to run you up to the Clarion at some point Stanley. It's Clarion Sunday on the 12th June which is when all the Clarion cycling clubs gather at the house along with Clarion Choirs who will be singing. Although ILP Clarion House is not directly linked to the Clarion Cycling movement it has been used over the years by thousands of cyclist for rest and refreshment. Might be a bit busy for you though that one, last year there were over 200 cyclists and members of vocal unions. Belting if it's a fine day as well.

We have the Big Red Picnic a bit later in the year and usually the Friends of Clarion Summer Fun Day and Barbecue. Again usually very busy but fine if it's a good day, plenty of room outside. Or maybe just a normal Sunday when its fine would be better.


Nelson ILP Land Society


Friends of Clarion House


Clarion House Website

[Stanley]

That's a kind offer Ian and yes, a normal day with a shortish stay would be best.....
I love the way the Clarion survives. A fundamental part of Labour History!

[PanBiker]

We made Lancashire Live today.

Unique building in hidden Lancashire valley

[Tripps]

That's a superb newspaper article Ian. Is that a printed newspaper?
I think Stanley should be applying for a job.

My big lad stayed over on Friday night after a boozy re union and we had a long chat afterwards. Barnoldswick of course featured, and the Clarion House was mentioned. I didn't think he fully 'got' what I was enthusing about so I've sent him the link to read.

I didn't realise that M Iqbal had been suspended from the party for his remarks about Palestine at the Council meeting.

[PanBiker]

That's a superb newspaper article Ian. Is that a printed newspaper?

I think it is just online David, it does cover a lot of the history and what we are about.

Iqbal is a friend and he has asked everyone in the party not to comment on the situation.

[Tripps]

Iqbal is a friend and he has asked everyone in the party not to comment on the situation.

I see. I watched that meeting, but didn't get the points which have resulted in his suspension from the Labour party. In fact I remember being quite impressed by the gentleman. I also was unaware that he is an Officer of Rochdale Council (As declared in his interests).


Just as well we have a free press then, who will do the reporting of the facts for us. Allegations

If anyone is sufficiently interested look here Pendle Council May 2022. Go to 3 hrs 39 minutes, and decide for yourself. I think I'd find him ' not guilty', but I'm not really sure this is a matter for Local Government at all. The clue is in the word Local.

[PanBiker]

Unfortunately you don't have to do very much now in the Labour Party to fall foul of the hierarchy if you express dismay at an oppressive regime. Or lean even slightly to the socialist side of the spectrum it would seem.

If the bots pick up on my views and leanings I can always fall back on the ILP where right minded folk can still say what they want.

[Tripps]

I can always fall back on the ILP where right minded folk can still say what they want.

That started a quick google surf and I ended up here Victor Grayson.

What was that you were saying about the need for our politicians to be vetted?

Plus ca change . . . .

That's why Vic Feather was called Vic . Famous punchline - "M'lud - they speak of little else - in Barnsley"

I think I'll borrow Cathy's sign off again.

[Stanley]

I've often wondered how long it will be before the Party realises that I am frequently outside the bounds of what seems to be accepted behaviour these days.
I agree with David, that is a good article. It's also a reminder of what we have lost in the decline of local newspapers.

[PanBiker]

We applied for a small tourist site sign from LCC but have been refused. The grounds for refusal are that we are not open for over 180 days per year and that we don't have sufficient and safe parking for multiple cars!

I think they are missing the point here. On the car parking question I can say without out fear of contradiction that there are plenty of tourist attractions that you have to walk to and as to the opening, the site, like the tops of the mountains and hills is available all year round, if its a Sunday or a special day you can get a brew, which can't be said for many an alternative venue.

[Stanley]

Have you put those points to them Ian? You are being logical, they aren't!

[PanBiker]

Yes we have but you have to pass the first two criteria to comply, fait accompli.

It was only an idea, we have managed for over a hundred years without.

[Stanley]

[PanBiker]

Meeting of the ILP Land Society today. Quite a productive meeting including agreeing to proceed with the replacement of the front verandah on Clarion House. It has been modified over the years. As originally built it was of open design. It was then enclosed with windows on the three sides firstly in the 1930's I believe, this was single glazing. We had it refurbished at the time we had the extension built and the new roof a number of years ago. Some of the frames were replaced but are now due again for upgrade. We are having the whole lot replaced. Superstructure and all the windows. We agreed the estimate of £11,500 for the works. The central steps have recently been refurbished and made a lot safer and we are now looking at fitting a hand rail. Kitchen replacement is to be investigated and costed with a view to that being the next project after the verandah. We also ratified the purchase of a new strimmer. Colin one of our members who does most of the mowing with Friends of the Clarion also reported that our petrol mower is showing it's age and may need to be replaced in the not too distant future.

Didn't get home until after 5pm and had to get a quick tea as it was the monthly All Members Meeting of the CLP tonight. Just got back from that!

[Stanley]

You're busy Ian......